The Enhanced Attachment and Growth of Endothelial Cells on Anhydrous Ammonia Gaseous Plasma Modified Surfaces of Polystyrene and Poly(Tetrafluoroethylene)

Anhydrous ammonia gaseous plasma technique was used for the surface modification of polystyrene petri dishes and poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) membranes. Amino groups were added onto surfaces by exposing them to ammonia plasma. Plasma modified polymeric surfaces and control polymeric surfaces were seeded with bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (EC). It was found that attachment of EC to control polystyrene surface was negligible. On the plasma modified polystyrene surface, there was improved attachment and growth of EC. At 96 hours, plasma modified surfaces yielded an order of 3 magnitudes more cells compared to those on control. Twenty four hours after seeding the cells, the percentage of EC attachment to control PTFE surfaces and modified surfaces were found to be about 36% and 92% respectively.